RV, GA runners end CC season

River Valley senior Nathaniel Abbott competes in the boys high school race as part of the Wellston Cross Country Invitational on Aug. 26 in Wellston, Ohio.

Paul Boggs|OVP Sports

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Once again, for River Valley’s Nathaniel Abbott, it was a matter of a mere three more spots.

That’s because the senior Abbott, for the second consecutive and final season, ended up three places shy of individually qualifying for the state cross country meet — following Saturday’s Division II boys regional meet at Pickerington North High School.

That’s correct.

Abbott, competing in his third and final regional, only missed making the coveted state championship by three finishers — as the top seven teams and 28 individuals in the regional advance to the state.

Abbott ended up 31st overall in 17 minutes and five seconds, as the final two spots went to a pair of Buckeye Valley runners, which both crossed the line at 16:59.

A year ago, when the top 24 individuals automatically moved on, Abbott was 27th in 17:16.

Two years ago, like they did on Saturday, the Raiders reached the regional as a Division II team —and almost made it three straight squad appearances after finishing one position shy last fall.

This year, River Valley was 21st out of 22 teams with a score of 456, as only Eastern Brown —at 486 —finished behind the Raiders.

All of the remaining Raiders ranged from 92nd to 172nd — with their finishing times between 18 and 20 minutes.

Gallia Academy freshman Sarah Watts was the only area female runner, placing 91st in 21 minutes and 44 seconds.

Visit www.baumspage.com for a complete list of results of the 2017 Division II regional meet.

River Valley senior Nathaniel Abbott competes in the boys high school race as part of the Wellston Cross Country Invitational on Aug. 26 in Wellston, Ohio.

http://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/10/web1_10.31-RV-Abbott.jpgRiver Valley senior Nathaniel Abbott competes in the boys high school race as part of the Wellston Cross Country Invitational on Aug. 26 in Wellston, Ohio. Paul Boggs|OVP Sports